Written by: Aaron Katsman | March 25, 2008
Aaron Katsman
www.IsraelNewsletter.com
Israeli diplomatic ties with France continue to warm, and today’s news that the French have selected Elbit Systems (ESLT) to supply the Skylark I unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems to France’s Special Forces. Elbit won a tender involving 10 of the leading UAV manufacturers worldwide. Very impressive. Since Nicolas Sarkozy took over the French presidency, not only have ties with the U.S. gotten much better, but the French have turned to be very friendly with Israel as well. This defense deal bears out the point.
This win is another in a long line for Elbit Systems. Commenting on the deal Haim Kellerman, General Manager of Elbit Systems UAV Division and Corporate Vice President said,” that there is a worldwide growing demand for UAVs for Special Forces, counter terrorism units and other forced focused on the security of borders and sensitive facilities. France’s selection of the Skylark® attests to its ability to meet the sophisticated challenges of the modern battle field. Elbit Systems considers this agreement with France’s Special Forces as a milestone in entering the French market and believes that it will be followed by further agreements with European NATO member countries.”
This win is not only important for Elbit Systems, it is an important victory in French-Israel relations.
Disclosure: Author’s fund holds a position in ESLT as of 3/25/08.
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Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
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Category:
defense,
eslt,
in the news,
iran,
israel
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Elbit Systems,
french special forces,
French-Israeli relations,
iran,
Israeli defense companies,
Nicolas Sarkozy,
UAV
Written by: Aaron Katsman | December 27, 2007
Aaron Katsman
www.IsraelNewsletter.com
As if we forgot that we are living in a dangerous world, today’s newsthat Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack, has reminded the world, and the Democratic party, just how dangerous a world we live in. We are once again reminded that there is a very large movement of individuals bent on the destruction of the west, along with the democratic ideals that the west represents. For some, watching extremists burn the flag of the USA along with that of Israel on the nightly news is meaningless. Many of these people feel that it’s President Bush’s fault we are not well liked. Today’s incident shows that the deep rooted hatred has nothing to do with the current US president, rather for the ideas that the US was founded on. That is what is not well liked by these extremist elements.
With this grim reminder of the dangers still common in the world, I think this means a renewed focus on security stocks. When speaking about security no conversation is complete without looking at Israel. The undisputed leader in security technology, Israel’s security establishment gained fame because of the reign of terror that the country has faced for decades. Nice Systems(NASDAQ:NICE) is one such company. The stock is bucking today’s downward market pressure and is gaining more than 1.5%. Nice is a security company that specializes in two markets: Security and Call Centers. Its security solution empowers security personnel to detect, prevent, and respond to threats in real-time. It also allows them to investigate, and reconstruct criminal and security cases using video surveillance and control services, incident monitoring, and reconstruction solutions. NICE is the market leader in providing fast and efficient solutions for the capture, storage, retrieval and analysis of customer interactions for contact centers, and the enterprise. Nice will be playing an active role in the upcoming summer Olympics in Beijing.
As long as there are bad guys out there they will be a need for a company like Nice.
Disclosure: Author’s fund holds a position in NICE and is long the stock as of 12/26/07.
Please see our Disclaimer HERE.
NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.
Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
Written by: Aaron Katsman | September 27, 2007
By Aaron Katsman
www.IsraelNewsletter.com
With Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gaining all the headlines, in part due to his comments to destroy Israel, IsraelNewsletter.com would like to present the Iranian President with 3 Israeli stock picks, which will convince him to save the Jewish state. These stocks will keep that pompous grin on his face, as he watches them soar to heights reached only by the Israeli Air Force as they fly overhead about to bomb his nuclear program into smithereens.
Tefron (TFR) is a textile company that manufactures boutique-quality everyday seamless intimate apparel, i.e., lingerie, sold throughout the world by Victoria’s Secret (LTD). According to Wikipedia, lingerie is a term for women’s fashion undergarments. With Iran being a Homosexual-free country according to the president, and with woman enjoying tremendous freedom, it would seem ripe for a few boutiques to open. Tefron stock is trading at a 52 week low and Q2 results were awful. That being said, I think the drop has been overdone. The company is optimistic for Q4. CEO Yos Shiran said, “given our expectations for improved active-wear sales in the fourth quarter mainly due to positive indications received from Nike for increased ‘next generation’ product orders, and a seasonally stronger quarter for swimwear sales, we expect a strong improvement in sales and margins in the fourth quarter compared to the second quarter of 2007.” At around $6.20 a share, I hope to see a nice upside move by the end of the year.
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (KERX). Ahmadinejad, in almost denying that the Holocaust ever took place, made clear his interest in scientific research. Based on this, it’s only right to include a Biopharma company. Keryx engages in the acquisition, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diabetes and cancer. They announced a licensing agreement with Japan Tobacco worth up to $100 million in fees to give an exclusive right to develop and market its drug candidate Zerenex in Japan. The company has many products in late phase testing and we may see some blockbuster drugs coming to market in the not too distant future.
Nice Systems (NICE). With such a friendly demeanor, the name itself makes it appropriate. But there is more. You mentioned that your country was the actual victim of terror. Well then you need a top notch security company to keep you safe. Nice is a security company that specializes in two markets: Security and Call Centers. Its security solution empowers security personnel to detect, prevent, and respond to threats in real-time. It also allows them to investigate, and reconstruct criminal and security cases using video surveillance and control services, incident monitoring, and reconstruction solutions. The company has continued to achieve strong growth quarter after quarter. The company raised guidance last month, and we expect a very strong Q4.
President Ahmadinejad, these Israeli companies should keep you grinning from ear to ear.
Please see our Disclaimer HERE.
Disclosure: Author’s fund is long TFR and NICE as of 9/25/07. Author holds no positions in any other companies mentioned.
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Aaron Katsman is the lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
